By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM|The Election Commission of India has ordered immediate transfer and posting of four senior IPS officers in West Bengal as part of preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections.

Reviewing the poll preparedness for the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India has directed the state government to implement a key reshuffle of senior police leadership with immediate effect.

According to the Commission’s directive, Siddh Nath Gupta, IPS (1992 batch), has been posted as Director General and Inspector General of Police (In-charge), Government of West Bengal. The appointment places him at the helm of the state police during the crucial election period.

Senior officer Natarajan Ramesh Babu, IPS (1991 batch), has been posted as Director General of Correctional Services, where he will oversee the administration of prisons and correctional institutions across the state.

Meanwhile, Ajay Mukund Ranade, IPS (1995 batch), has been appointed as Additional Director General and Inspector General of Police (Law & Order), a key operational position responsible for maintaining security and public order during the electoral process.

The Commission has also directed the posting of Ajay Kumar Nand, IPS (1996 batch), as Commissioner of Police of Kolkata, placing him in charge of policing the state capital during the election period.

The Election Commission has asked the state government to implement the directions immediately and submit a compliance report regarding the officers’ joining by 3:00 PM on March 16, 2026. It has also directed that officers transferred out should not be posted in any election-related assignments until the completion of the ongoing election process.

Nandini Chakravorty, IAS (1994), was removed as Chief Secretary of West Bengal by the Election Commission hours after the assembly poll schedule announcement. She has been barred from holding any election-related assignment until completion of the ongoing state elections.

Dushyant Nariala, IAS (1993), has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of West Bengal by the Election Commission following the removal of Nandini Chakravorty, as part of measures to ensure administrative neutrality during the forthcoming assembly elections.

Jagdish Prasad Meena, IAS, has been removed from the post of Home Secretary, West Bengal, by the Election Commission during a review of poll preparedness, with directions that he will not hold any election-related responsibility till completion of the assembly polls.

Sanghamitra Ghosh, IAS (1997), has been appointed as Principal Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs, West Bengal, by the Election Commission after the removal of the state’s Home Secretary, in a major administrative reshuffle ahead of the assembly elections.